Because he NEEDS to change the lineup, and it worked pretty damn well when he did it with Dirks and Boesch earlier in the year (not his fault Boesch is bottoming out). As for the rookie thing, that's just what he's always done and if it works, then he can trust the guy. I get what he's doing, and I don't have a problem with it. It's not exactly his fault that our system is an abomination, which leaves us with zero depth. Laying the blame on the manager is an easy way out, when at the end of the day, they're really inconsequential for a baseball team's success unless they're actively horrible (see: Dusty Baker).

And you checked off all the guys there he put in big situations immediately, you know the common factor in the ones that failed? They failed. Not saying it will always happen, but the ones that can pull it off (Zumaya in 2006, Al Al last year, Marte last year) will stick. Firing Leyland solves nothing, it helps nothing, and it's just a facade to cover up struggles in other parts of the organization. I don't like his lineup construction all of the time, nor do I like some of his bullpen moves, but he's hardly worth firing right now.

When it comes to the lineup, I understand that when people are under-performing, they should be moved down, and vice versa. I recall a game about two weeks ago where Dirks was in the middle of his rampage at hitting the ball batting 2nd in the lineup. Leyland put Ryan Raburn and his .140 batting average second, which is fine, whatever, except Dirks wasn't getting the day off, he was batting 7th. For no apparent reason. Thats the sort of thing I am talking about with his lineups. There is no rhyme or reason most of the time. The rookie pitcher thing makes sense the way you described it, only the ones that dont work stick out in our head, but it seems like in such an important game, he would have brought Coke in to get those outs. If Coke was resting, whatever, but he wasn't. Also, why pull Below after one hit, after he decided to let him hit the inning before? Obviously my post earlier about firing Leyland was in the heat of the moment, and as a fan, I reserve the right to bi*** and moan about my team. I dont think firing him now would do any good, but if we dont make the playoffs this year, there is absolutely no reason to keep him.

Well no, I don't think he should be kept after the year either. But something has to be done about DD too, who keeps forfeiting our draft picks and outside of a really top heavy system (Nicky C is an elite prospect, Turner can be if his arm wakes up), our system is worthless.

If we don't move Prince to DH and Cabby to first when Nicky C is ready next year, I will stab some bitches. Prince in the infield is cancer causing.

Well no, I don't think he should be kept after the year either. But something has to be done about DD too, who keeps forfeiting our draft picks and outside of a really top heavy system (Nicky C is an elite prospect, Turner can be if his arm wakes up), our system is worthless.

If we don't move Prince to DH and Cabby to first when Nicky C is ready next year, I will stab some bitches. Prince in the infield is cancer causing.

I haven't really been following as closely this year but the Fister, Avila, and AJAX injuries seem to be hurting the team big time.

For the most part, yes. AJax was playing like our best hitter before his injury (although Berry has been on a SSS related usefulness binge), Avila hasn't been hurt long and has been underperforming, and Fister needs to get healthy. But, our system is just so bad it's appalling. Castellanos is an excellent prospect, but there is zero depth in the top or lower minors, and the rest of the system is old guys that don't have much potential, or guys with great stuff that have issues (Turner, Oliver).

I agree. Dombrowski hasn't done well with the farm system. We really needed one or two of those arms to breakthrough. He made a good trade for Fister last year and like it or not Delmon came through in the playoffs. I would have liked to see the farm system deliver some more impact players but it just isn't happening.. He is much better at pulling off trades.

But yeah Berry's production was cancelling out Austin Jackson's injury. I just think there is something to the idea that Leyland's voice in the locker just isn't doing it anymore.

Will there be a better group of young bats next year than Hosmer-Moose Tacos-Myers? The Royals are going to have a flat-out disgusting line-up by August. Too bad they have such terrible luck with starting pitching and that Ned Yost is destroying their bullpen arms.

He's in A. Not even close to ready. Fast tracking him is a terrible idea.

He isnt close but fast tracking him isn't a terrible idea.
He wont be a SS in the pro's. Move him to CF and Pensacola (AA)
Give him the rest of 2012 there and if he is hitting start him in Louisville by 2013.

I really, really like him so far. Always gives a good AB, is a switch hitter that has been equally good on both sides of the plate so far, and has been a good defender.

Here's hoping his history of injuries doesnt catch up with him.

He's been an very different hitter this year then he was last year in Boston. Last year he struggled against right-handed pitching, only hit .210. But he killed it against left-handed pitching with the Red Sox, he hit .338 in 2010 (in limited AB's) and .330 in 2011 against left handed pitching. This year he's flipped it around, he's hitting .317 against righty's and .217 against lefty's. If he can start hitting better from the right side again he has perennial all-star potential. Especially since he has power from both sides.

Seeing as Melancon is still stuck in AAA, definately a steal for the Astros.